Method and Apparatus for Depth Algorithm Adjustment to Images based on Predictive Analytics and Sensor Feedback in an Information Handling System

ABSTRACT

A system for determining a loss of calibration in a multi-view stereo imaging system including executing instructions, via a processor, for a multi-view stereo imaging system to process a plural image frame recorded from a plurality of digital cameras of an information handling system and based on plural image calibration parameters and detecting a physical impact event, via a physical sensor, to an information handling system. The system and method execute instructions for a physical impact event detection system to determine, based on physical sensor feedback data, whether a threshold level of a physical impact event has been reached so as to affect calibration of the multi-view stereo imaging system. The detected physical impact event may be a mechanical impact event, a thermal impact event, a vibration mechanical impact event, or another physical impact event.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Related subject matter is contained in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/815,614 entitled “Method and Apparatus forCompensating for Camera Error in a Multi-Camera Stereo Camera System,”filed on Jul. 31, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to information handling systems, andmore particularly relates to a method and apparatus for calibrationadjustment based on physical, thermal, or other impacts to multi-viewstereo imaging systems.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems. Many current information handling systems includeintegrated camera systems for recording images. The integrated camerasmay include compound digital cameras with plural image sensors,individual digital camera systems, or plural digital camera systems of avariety of types.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relativeto other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the presentdisclosure are shown and described with respect to the drawings herein,in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information handling systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 a block diagram illustrating a multi-view stereo imaging systemwith multi-camera error compensation and physical impact detectionaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a display image diagram illustrating an image of a scenehaving objects and features at different depth distances recorded fromone or more digital cameras according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a plural camera mounting bracket withdigital cameras according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a plural camera mounting bracket withdigital cameras subject to a thermal impact event according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a plural camera mounting bracket withdigital cameras subject to a mechanical impact event according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of detecting a mechanicalimpact event and re-calibration via a multi-camera error compensationsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of detecting a thermalimpact event and re-calibration of plural image calibration parametersaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of detecting a vibrationmechanical impact event and re-calibration of plural image calibrationparameters according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of detecting one or morephysical impact events and re-calibration of plural image calibrationparameters according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of re-calibration via amulti-camera error compensation system according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings may indicatesimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The descriptionis focused on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings,and is provided to assist in describing the teachings. This focus shouldnot be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of theteachings.

An information handling system, such as mobile information handlingsystems including personal computer (e.g., desktop or laptop), tabletcomputer, mobile device (e.g., personal digital assistant (PDA) or smartphone), or other mobile computing platform including wearable computingplatforms may include a plurality of digital camera systems servingnumerous functions. In an embodiment, an information handling system mayinclude a multi-view stereo imaging system operating with the pluralityof digital camera systems. In various embodiments, two digital camerasmay be used, more than two digital cameras may be used, or a compounddigital camera with plural image sensors may be used with the multi-viewstereo imaging system of the present disclosure. Image sensors mayinclude CMOS sensors, CCD sensors, and other image sensors known in theart. Hereinafter, a plurality of digital camera systems shall include acompound camera with plural image sensors.

In an aspect, multi-view stereo imaging systems in information handlingsystems with a plurality of digital cameras may require precisionalignment and calibration to conduct a variety of plural imagingfunctions including three dimensional (3D) depth imaging operationsusing a depth determination algorithm. Misalignment or loss ofcalibration of one or more of the plurality of digital cameras can leadto incorrect operation of plural imaging functions. In informationhandling systems, for example consumer mobile devices, maintainingalignment over a long period of time may be impractical. This is due tonormal wear and tear, traumatic mechanical events, thermal events,vibration due to movement, and many other factors during the course ofusage of the information handling system. A multi-view stereo imagingsystem with a plurality of digital cameras may however be recalibratedafter usage or a physical impact event such as a mechanical event,thermal event or vibration mechanical event causes misalignment or lossof calibration. Manual calibration of the multi-view stereo imagingsystem or the plurality of digital cameras may be unwieldy or difficultin the information handling system with a plurality of digital cameras.Recalibration may occur via a multi-camera error compensating softwaresystem according to the present disclosure to adjust plural imagingframe parameters to recalibrate plural imaging functions, including 3Dimaging operation. In an embodiment, the multi-camera error compensatingsystem may operate nearly invisibly to determine if calibration ofplural image frames is within identified tolerances for specific pluralimaging functions to identify loss of calibration or alignment.Notification of the loss of calibration may occur in one aspect of themulti-camera error compensating system. Recalibration may be triggeredin accordance with a user's instructions in one aspect of the disclosureor may be triggered automatically upon determination of calibrationloss. A physical impact event detection system may coordinate withvarious sensors associated with the information handling system todetermine the occurrence of a thermal impact event, a mechanical impactevent, a vibration mechanical impact event, other physical impact event,or any combination. The physical impact event detection system maydetermine whether a threshold level of any physical impact event hasbeen met to warrant prediction of loss of calibration for the multi-viewstereo imaging system. The loss of calibration may also be predictedwith respect to magnitude for certain physical impact events such asthermal impact events or vibration mechanical impact events.

In one embodiment, the multi-camera error compensating system mayconduct recalibration in coordination with the physical impact eventdetection system to determine loss of calibration levels. Themulti-camera error compensating system may additionally conductrecalibration or even reprocessing of existing plural image framesaccording to adjusted plural image calibration parameters with minimaluser interaction in an aspect of the disclosure. Recalibrationparameters may be determined based on predictive tables of digitalcamera displacement in alignment due to a level of a detected physicalimpact event. In other recalibration embodiment via the multi-cameraerror compensating system, the recalibration of the plural imaging dataincluding plural image calibration parameters from the multi-view stereoimaging system may be conducted based on analysis of one or more pluralimages taken and compared to determine error in the calibrationparameters with respect to the digital camera systems. Thenrecalibration of the plural image calibration parameters may beconducted to modify calibration parameters for plural image frames. Therecalibrated plural image calibration parameters serve as errorcompensation for digital camera misalignment or other errors due tophysical impact events to the information handling system. In someembodiments, a plurality of test plural images may be used to increaseconfidence of the calibration update. In one aspect, the test pluralimages may be plural image frames previously taken and stored by themulti-view stereo imaging system. Plural images may also include theplurality of raw images recorded by the plurality of digital camerasprior to consolidation into a plural image frame. These raw imagecomponents may serve as test plural images as well. Upon recalibrationwith the multi-camera error compensating software system, one or moreplural image frames taken prior to recalibration, but during or after aphysical impact event, may be reprocessed to correct errors fromdecalibration.

For purposes of this disclosure, the information handling system mayinclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, aninformation handling system may be a personal computer (desktop, laptop,all-in-one computer, etc.), a consumer electronic device, a networkserver or storage device, a switch router, wireless router, or othernetwork communication device, a network connected device (cellulartelephone, tablet device, etc.), or any other suitable device, and canvary in size, shape, performance, price, and functionality and price.The information handling system can also be implemented as orincorporated into various devices, such as a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, a set-top box (STB), a mobile information handling system, apalmtop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, awireless telephone, a smart phone, a wearable computing device, aland-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimilemachine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance,a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable ofexecuting a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specifyactions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, theinformation handling system can be implemented using electronic devicesthat provide voice, video or data communication. Further, while a singleinformation handling system 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1, the term“system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems orsub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiplesets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an information handling system 100capable of administering each of the specific embodiments of the presentdisclosure. For purpose of this disclosure information handling system100 can include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities asdescribed above, and operates to perform one or more of the methodsdescribed herein. Further, information handling system 100 can includeprocessing resources, such as a processing chipset 104, for executingmachine-executable code instructions 124 of an operating system 122 andvarious applications 132. Processing resources may include a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 102, a programmable logic array (PLA), an embeddeddevice such as a System-on-a-Chip (SoC), or other control logichardware. Information handling system 100 can also include one or morecomputer-readable medium types for storing machine-executable code, suchas software or data. Additional components of information handlingsystem 100 can include one or more storage devices including main memory106, static memory 108, and drive unit 109 that can storemachine-executable code or data on various computer-readable mediumtypes, one or more communications ports for communicating with externaldevices, and various input and output (I/O) devices connected via I/Ointerfaces. I/O devices may include one or more alpha numeric or cursorcontrol devices 110 including keyboards, mice, touchpads, and touchscreens. Additional input and output (I/O) devices include videodisplays 112, digital camera systems 140, signal generating systems andsignal receiving systems (not shown) such as sound, infrared, visiblelight, or radiofrequency signal systems. Information handling system 100can also include one or more buses 114 operable to transmit informationbetween the various hardware components.

In an example embodiment, information handling system 100 includes oneor more chipsets 104. Chipset 104 in an embodiment may include one ormore processors 102, embedded controllers 120, and graphics processingsystems such as a graphics processing unit (GPU) 126 among othercontrollers or processors as specified. In example aspects, the chipset104 may interface with main memory 104 to utilize and processmachine-executable code instructions 124. Main memory 104 may includeRAM memory or other memory to store machine-executable code instructions124 for processing. One or more buses 114 may connect chipset 104 orother processing resources to memory including static memory 108 such asflash memory, or a drive unit 109 such as a disk drive, ROM or othermemory. Main memory 106, static memory 108, drive unit 109 may eachcontain varied types of computer readable medium. For example, driveunit 109 may include a computer readable medium shown as 125 of avariety of sorts known in the art. Each of main memory 106, staticmemory 108, or drive units 109 may store instructions 124 for theinformation handling system. Drive unit 109 or static memory 108 mayalso be controlled by a disk controller or a disk emulator if peripheralto the information handling system. Information handling system 100 canfurther include a network interface device 116 for connection to network118.

Processor 102 and processor chipset 104 is operatively coupled to memory106 via memory bus. GPU 126 may also be operatively coupled to processor102 via a graphics interface and provides a video display output to oneor more video displays 112. Video display 112 is connected to touchcontroller 128 via touch controller interface. In a particularembodiment, information handling system 100 includes separate memoriesthat are dedicated to processor 102 via separate memory interfaces. Anexample of memory 106 includes random access memory (RAM) such as staticRAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NV-RAM), or the like,read only memory (ROM), another type of memory, or a combinationthereof. Memory 106 can store, for example, at least one application 132and operating system 122. Operating system 122 includes operating systemcode operable to detect resources within information handling system100, to provide drivers for the resources, initialize the resources, toaccess the resources, and to support execution of the at least oneapplication 132. Operating system 122 has access to system elements viaan operating system interface, and may include interface with devicedrivers.

Graphics interfaces, disk controllers, and I/O interfaces, peripheralinterfaces, network interface controllers and other interfaces of theinformation handling system 100 are operatively coupled to chipset 104via interfaces that may be implemented, for example, using a PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) interface, a PCI-Extended (PCI-X)interface, a high-speed PCI-Express (PCIe) interface, another industrystandard or proprietary communication interface, or a combinationthereof according to various embodiments. Chipset 104 can also includeone or more other I/O interfaces, including an Industry StandardArchitecture (ISA) interface, a Small Computer Serial Interface (SCSI)interface, an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C) interface, a System PacketInterface (SPI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB), another interface, or acombination thereof in certain embodiments. An example of disk interfacewith static memory 108 or drive unit 109 includes an IEEE 1194(Firewire) interface, Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) interface, anAdvanced Technology Attachment (ATA) such as a parallel ATA (PATA)interface or a serial ATA (SATA) interface, a SCSI interface, a USBinterface, a proprietary interface, or a combination thereof in variousembodiments. Alternatively, static memory 108 or drive unit 109 can bedisposed within information handling system 100.

Network interface device 116 disposed within information handling system100 may be located on a main circuit board of the information handlingsystem, integrated onto another component such as chipset 104, inanother suitable location, or a combination thereof. Network interfacedevice 116 is connected to chipset 104 via one or more buses 114.Network interface device 116 includes one or more network channels thatprovide interfacing to devices and other information handling systemsthat are external to information handling system 100. In a particularembodiment, network channels may be wired, wireless, or a combination ofthe same as is understood by those of skill in the art. An example ofnetwork channels includes wireless telecommunication and dataconnectivity such as LTE, UMTS/EDGE, EDGE/GSM, CDMA wirelesscommunication standards known in the art. Other example network channelsinclude WiMax, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, InfiniBand channels, Fibre Channelchannels, Gigabit Ethernet channels, proprietary channel architectures,or a combination thereof. Network channel can be connected to externalnetwork resources available to the information handling system (notillustrated). The network resources can include another informationhandling system, a data storage system, another network, a gridmanagement system, another suitable resource, or a combination thereof.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, camera 140 of informationhandling system 100 comprises one or more digital cameras withthree-dimensional (3D) imaging capability. As an example embodiment, thecamera 140 can be an INTEL® REALSENSE™ 3D camera or another 3D camera.In an aspect, camera 140 may have multiple camera elements such as witha compound camera system or be a plurality of digital cameras 140 atdiverse locations to yield parallax information can be used to determinedistances of image elements from the camera. As another aspect, a camera140 may have a focusable lens to yield differences in sharpness atdifferent distances can be used to determine distances of image elementsfrom the camera. Camera types may include digital RGB cameras, IRcameras, and other cameras with a variety of general and specific imagecapture capabilities and intended for various image capture purposes asunderstood in the art.

Information handling system 100 includes instructions 124 to be executedby processor 102 and stored in memory 106, which is connected toprocessor 102. Processor 102 is coupled, for example, via chipset 104and one or more buses 114 to the one or more cameras 140. A digitalcamera 140 can record a first raw image of a scene. The instructions 124cause processor 102 to record a second raw image of the scene fromanother image sensor or digital camera 140. The second raw image mayrecord the scene from a different angle. Any number of a plurality ofraw images may be recorded by a plurality of digital cameras 140, andthe digital cameras 140 are contemplated as having different parallaxangles known to the system. The instructions cause processor 102 toconstruct a composite image based on at least a portion of the first,second, and other raw images for the at least one of the plurality ofimage elements. The composite image may be referred to as a plural imageframe of the scene. In an example embodiment, the instructions may causethree-dimensional (3D) image processing that may correlate distanceswithin the plural image frame, exposure levels, and focal levels over aplurality of image elements or objects within the plural image frame.The instructions cause processor 102 to utilize plural image calibrationparameters in processing raw images into a plural image frame. Exampleplural image calibration parameters include depths, rotation, fields ofview, focal lengths and other calibration factors for processing theplural image frame from raw images. In an aspect, this may include 3Dimage depth processing for the plural image frames to establishdistances of elements or objects within a plural image frame.

Alteration to the plural image calibration parameters may occur due tophysical impact events such as thermal impacts or mechanical impacts tothe plural digital cameras in the information handling system, and in aparticular aspect, changes to a mounting device such as a mountingbracket for the plural digital cameras. In accord with at least oneembodiment, the instructions 124 may cause processor 102 to implement aphysical impact detection system to detect physical impact events andpredict alterations to plural image calibration. Also in accordance withat least one embodiment, the instructions 124 cause processor 102 todetect when an image is recorded and one or more plural imagecalibration parameters is out of calibration. In accordance with atleast one embodiment, the instructions 124 cause processor 102 toconduct recalibration of plural image calibration parameters to correctfor misalignment or other loss of calibration of one or more digitalcameras 140. In accordance with at least one embodiment, theinstructions 124 cause processor 102 to determine if one or more pluralimage frames are out of calibration. In accordance with at least oneembodiment, the instructions 124 cause processor 102 to determine if oneor more plural image frames that are out of calibration have beenmodified by a user. In accordance with yet another embodiment, theinstructions 124 cause processor 102 to add one or more plural imageframes to a reprocessing queue for reprocessing, for example, ifcaptured after a physical impact event. In accordance with at least oneadditional embodiment, the instructions 124 cause processor 102 toreprocess one or more plural image frames that are out of calibrationaccording to recalibrated plural image calibration parameters.Additional detail for methods or portions of methods for the abovedescribed embodiments is discussed further herein.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a multi-view stereo imaging system 200with physical impact detection and multi-camera error compensationaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The variousaspects of the multi-view stereo imaging system 200 are capable ofadministering each of the specific embodiments of the present disclosurevia execution of code instructions run on a CPU or embedded controllerin the chipset(s) of one or more information handling systems asdescribed above. The multi-view stereo imaging system 200 may beimplemented as one or more modules of executable software code. Themultiview stereo imaging system core module 210 coordinates collectionof a plurality of raw images and consolidation of those images in to aplural image frame. The multiview stereo imaging system core 210 mayconduct additional processing of plural image frames including 3Dprocessing to determine depth calculations for pixels representingpoints and objects within a scene of the plural image frame.

The application programming interface (API) 215 may coordinate all codeinstruction modules that comprise the multiview stereo imaging system200 and code instructions that function on the information handlingsystems such as an operating system, device drivers, applications andother software code instructions that may operate in the informationhandling system. The multiview stereo imaging system core 210 interfaceswith the API 215 found in the information handling system software tocoordinate various software applications and hardware including thedigital camera hardware drivers 220 and 221 operating a plurality ofdigital cameras 222 and 223 for recording raw images by the informationhandling system. As explained earlier, it is understood that a pluralityof digital camera systems are contemplated and may include two or moredigital camera systems in various embodiments. The plural digital camerasystems may also include a compound camera with a plurality of imagesensors as described above as well. An example API system embodiment mayinclude a Win 32 API or other API software systems as understood in theart. It is further understood that while several distinct codeinstruction modules are depicted in FIG. 2, that is for illustrativepurposes and the software architecture may be employed with one softwarecode module or a plurality of software code modules in addition to whatis shown in FIG. 2. Further, it is understood that functionality oroperation described for any one of the code instruction modules may beperformed by a different instruction code module or a combination of anyinstruction code modules or sub-systems.

In an example embodiment, the API 215 may coordinate the multiviewstereo imaging system core 210, a multi-camera error compensating system235, a physical impact detection system 270, and digital camera devicedrivers 220 and 221. The multiview stereo imaging system 200 similarlyhas a plurality of data repositories including a database for storingplural image frames 225, a database for plural image calibrationparameters 230, and a reprocessing queue 245 for plural image framesdesignated as decalibrated and available for reprocessing afterrecalibration of plural image calibration parameters. It is understoodthat the above described databases may be separate or combined into oneor more databases or may be distributed among several memory locationsin any architecture.

The multi-view stereo imaging system 200 coordinates with a physicalimpact detection system 270 to determine if digital camera systems, suchas 222, 223, or a compound digital camera system, are operating out ofcalibration. The physical impact detection system 270 may detect any ofa plurality of physical impact events to the information handlingsystem. The physical impact events may include thermal impact events,mechanical impact events, vibration impact events, or other physicalimpact events or any combination. The physical impact detection system270 may be operatively coupled to a plurality of sensors. Examplesensors may include one or more thermal sensors 272, one or moreaccelerometers 274, one or more gyroscope systems 276, one or moregeo-magnetic sensors 278, a GPS system 280, and other sensors availableto detect physical impact levels. In an example embodiment, one or moresensors may be coupled to the physical impact detection system 270 thatis always on and prepared to detect a physical impact event. In otheraspects, the physical impact detection system 270 may be activated bydetection of usage of the information handling system. For example,monitoring with the physical impact detection system 270 may beactivated due to any motion of the information handling system or aninput received by the information handling system. In anotherembodiment, the physical impact detection system 270 may be activatedupon access to the multi-view stereo imaging system by the user, forexample, using the camera system. The physical impact detection system270 may be activated from a dormant or sleep state to prevent the systemfrom unnecessarily consuming power or processing resources when aninformation handling system is not in use.

Detection of physical impact events meeting a particular thresholdmagnitude or frequency may permit the physical impact detection systemto determine that a loss of calibration is likely within the multi-viewstereo imaging system. In a further example aspect, the detection of amagnitude of a physical impact event or a frequency of a physical impactevent may provide data to enable a prediction of how much a repeatablephysical impact event may put the multi-view stereo imaging system 200out of calibration. The measured temperature or a vibration forcemagnitude and frequency are examples. In response, a user may beprompted to agree to recalibration of plural image calibrationparameters upon determination of a threshold-level physical impact eventby the physical impact detection system 270. In other embodiments,recalibration may be triggered automatically.

The physical impact detection system 270 may additionally allow forefficient prediction of recalibration levels required for the pluralimage parameters used by the multi-view stereo imaging system 200 andthe multi-camera error compensation system 235. For example, a thermalimpact event may increase the length of a bracket used to mount theplurality of digital cameras 222 and 223 with a predictable thermalexpansion. The length increase of the bracket may be in some proportionto the heat levels detected on the bracket or elsewhere in theinformation handling system. With an ability to predict a change indistance between the plurality of digital cameras 222 and 223, aprediction of loss of calibration may also be made. Further,recalibration may also be predicted based on detected temperature. Thethermal impact data retrieved from a thermal sensor 272 may also bemodified by other sensors detecting different aspects of a physicalimpact event. In one aspect, a GPS or geo-magnetic sensor may be used todetect location or altitude which may impact bracket expansion under athermal load due to pressure variation or other variations. Thesedetection factors may alter the determination of a thermal threshold orthe magnitude of a thermal impact event. In another aspect, multiplephysical impact events may occur simultaneously requiring themulti-camera error system 235 to account for multiple changes affectingthe plural image calibration parameters.

The multi-view stereo imaging system 200 may also utilize a multi-cameraerror compensating system 235 to determine if digital camera systems 222and 223 are operating out of calibration with the calibration checksub-system 240. A calibration check sub-system 240 may operate with themulti-camera error compensating system 235 to detect loss of calibrationin acquired plural image frames indicating digital camera system erroror other errors in addition to the physical impact detection system 270in some embodiments. Loss of calibration may occur due to a variety offactors including from mechanical movement or contortion of digitalcamera systems 222 and 223, thermal action, or digital or electronicerrors in camera function. As described above, mechanical movement orcontortion may take place due to vibration, mechanical drops, heat, orother factors to cause digital camera systems 222 and 223 to move out ofalignment. Such camera errors will cause errors during consolidation ofraw images recorded via digital camera systems 222 and 223 into pluralimage frames. Plural image calibration parameters used to consolidateraw images will no longer function as originally calibrated.

The multi-camera error compensating system 235 may also automatically,or after prompting a user, apply recalibration with a recalibrationengine 250 to plural image calibration parameters to correct the issuesdetected. In an example aspect, the recalibration engine 250 mayrecalibrate the plural image calibration parameters using the alteredalignment of digital camera systems 222 and 223 based on the recordedraw images of one or more plural image frames. In another exampleaspect, certain plural image frames detected as out-of-calibration maybe reprocessed with new plural image calibration parameters via areprocessing engine 260 of the multi-camera error compensating system.In some embodiments, the above sub-systems may be part of themulti-camera error compensating system 235. In other embodiments, it isunderstood that code instructions executable by a processor for systems240, 250, and 260 may be independent from one another and operation maybe coordinated via API 215.

In some aspects, some or all of the multi-view stereo imaging system 200may coordinate raw image data, plural image data, or plural imagecalibration parameters across a network to a remote location for imageprocessing or dynamic recalibration. For example, the multi-view stereoimaging system core 210 may report some or all of the raw images, stereoimages, or plural image calibration parameters via a network interface(NIC) to a remote information handling system or remote data repository.

FIG. 3 is a display image diagram illustrating an image of a scenehaving objects at different distances from an information handlingsystem having a plurality of digital camera systems, wherein the objectsare represented by image elements, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Image 300 is an example of a plural image frameafter 3D image processing with a multi-view stereo imaging system. Image300 may be comprised of pre-processed raw images acquired with theplurality of digital cameras or with a compound digital c cameraaccording to embodiments described. Image 300 comprises a scene havingobjects 302 through 308 as example objects within the scene of image300. Objects 302 through 308 may also have image features such as edgesor corners of the objects that are identifiable when raw images arealigned for purposes of calibration checking or re-calibration of pluralimage calibration parameters. In an example embodiment, image 300 may bedisplayed on a display screen 330 of an information handling system 340such as a tablet computing system. Objects 302 through 308 are locatedat a variety of distances and ranges of depth of distance. In an exampleembodiment, the plurality of digital camera systems may operate as a 3Dcamera with 3D image processing via the multi-view stereo imaging systemdescribed in the present disclosure. For example, object 302, whichrepresents a picture, is in a moderate background. Object 304, whichrepresents a couch, is illustrated as also in the moderate background.Object 306, which represents a coffee table, is illustrated in a nearforeground. Object 308, which represents an end table is also in themoderate foreground, in a less extreme foreground position than object306. Object 310, which represents a chair, is in a background relativeto object 306. Additional objects are shown in the scene of image 300,but not discussed.

The three-dimensional relationships illustrated in FIG. 3 can bediscussed with respect to x, y, and z axes, wherein the x axis isdefined as being a horizontal axis, the y axis is defined as being avertical axis, and the z axis is defined as being a distance axis alonga path through the plane of image 300 away from a point of view of theplurality of digital camera systems capturing image 300. In accordancewith at least one embodiment, using distance information obtained fromthe plurality of digital camera systems, the distances of imageelements, such as pixels, of image 300 from the plurality of digitalcamera systems can be determined. Processing raw image recordings fromthe plurality of digital camera systems via the multiview stereo imagingsystem of the present disclosure permits consolidation of the raw imagesinto a plural image frame. Patterns of such image elements, for example,image elements within the region occupied by object 306, can berecognized, for example, by their proximity in x, y, z space. Oncerecognized, such patterns can be used to identify objects, such asobject 306 and its relation to other objects, such as objects 302, 304,308 and 310, in the x, y, z space. Image distance coordinates in x, y, zspace may be identified at points along an object according to x, y, zcoordinates associated with a pixel or pixels at that location in image300. For example, coordinate distance point (X₁, Y₁, Z₁) is shown at320. The coordinate distance point (X₂, Y₂, Z₂) is shown at 322,coordinate distance point (X₃, Y₃, Z₃) is shown at 324, and coordinatedistance point (X₄, Y₄, Z₄) is shown at 326. As is understood,additional image processing can be performed with respect to eachidentified object or plurality of objects that are at particular zdistance or range of z distances. For example, distances between x, y, zcoordinate points may be measurable. As an additional example, objectsin space within plural image frames may be identified as objects basedon edges or other features in the image. Misalignment of digital camerasor loss of calibration of any plural image calibration parameters mayhave substantial impact with undesirable consequences on the accuracy ofprocessed plural image frames such as the image 300.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a pluralityof digital cameras that may be employed in an information handlingsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisparticular disclosed embodiment, a first digital camera (Camera 1) 422and a second digital camera (Camera 2) 423 are disclosed as pluraldigital camera systems. The first digital camera 422 and second digitalcamera 423 are shown as mounted to a bracket 410 or other mountingstructure. It is understood that bracket 410 and digital camera systems422 and 423 may be in any configuration designed to support the digitalcameras 422 and 423 for the purposes of acquiring plural digital images.For simplicity, a linear bracket 410 is shown. Moreover, in someembodiments, bracket 410 may be of any geometry sufficient to supportand preferably immobilize the position of the digital cameras 422 and423. Bracket 410 may support the first and second digital cameras 422and 423 at a particular camera angle orientation θ with respect to oneanother, for example a parallax angle with respect to field of view andfocal points. Additionally a camera angle orientation in a seconddimension may also be known. An example of a second camera angleorientation (β) in a second dimension (not shown) could include an anglebetween the focal direction of the two digital cameras 422 and 423around a linear dimension of linear bracket 410, for example a radialangle. The second camera angle orientation (β) could alter should atorsion or twisting force twist or radially displace the linear bracket410 in the present embodiment. The bracket 410 may also have additionalcameras mounted to it in other configurations and other bracketgeometries in other embodiments as is understood. In the exampleembodiment, FIG. 4A shows a bracket 410 at time t0 and at a temperatureof 25° C. as an illustrative starting point.

Bracket 410 may also be made of materials such as metal alloys or othermaterials with known dimensions such as length (L). The bracketmaterials may also have known expansion properties in thermalconditions. Additionally the bracket materials may have known stiffness,strength, and toughness, or other properties such as such as elasticityproperties, in the face of mechanical impact events. In an exampleembodiment, bracket 410 may be comprised of one or more materials tolimit impact of thermal expansion. Additionally, bracket 410 may becomprised of one or more materials to resist force impact and recover tooriginal shape. Digital camera mountings may also play a part in changesof plural image calibration parameters in light of thermal, mechanical,and vibration mechanical impact events. Damping and other aspects mayalso be employed in mounting of digital camera systems 422 and 423 aswell as mounting bracket 410 in information handling system. Thesedamping systems may be accounted for in determining force levels anddirections detected via accelerometers and gyroscope systems formechanical and vibration mechanical impact events for example.

In an example embodiment, bracket 410 may have one or more thermalsensors 472, such as thermistors, directly mounted to the bracket 410structure. In other embodiments, thermal sensor 472 may be mounted nearbracket 410 or an on-board thermal sensor for the information handlingsystem. Additionally, one or more accelerometers 474 may also be mounteddirectly to bracket 410 in some embodiments. It is contemplated thatother sensors as described above may be mounted to bracket 410 inadditional embodiments. In several aspects, sensor systems such as thosedescribed above may be physical sensors that typically are included withmobile information handling systems. Data relating to physical impactevents may be recorded using the physical sensor systems whether mountedon a bracket supporting digital cameras or generally on-board theinformation handling system.

FIG. 4B is a diagram, similar to FIG. 4A, illustrating an exampleembodiment of a plurality of digital cameras that may be employed in aninformation handling system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In FIG. 4B, the time has progressed to time t0+t1.Temperature has increased to 25° C.+Y. Bracket 410 is shown in FIG. 4Bwith digital camera systems 422 and 423 mounted thereon. Also shown arethermal sensor 472 and accelerometer 474. At temperature 25° C.+Y, thelength of bracket 410 is shown to have increase due to thermalexpansion. Thermal expansion may have increase the length of bracket 410by ΔL′. It is understood that the relationship between thermal increaseof Y and thermal expansion of the bracket 410 of ΔL′ depends on thematerial or materials used and the dimensions of bracket 410. Therelationship between a thermal increase of Y and thermal expansion ofthe bracket 410 of ΔL′ may be a predictable relationship.

FIG. 4C is a diagram, similar to FIG. 4A, illustrating an exampleembodiment of a plurality of digital cameras that may be employed in aninformation handling system according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In FIG. 4C, the time has progressed to time t0+t2. In thisparticular embodiment, a mechanical impact event may have occurred thatexceeds a threshold level of force so as to have a change in thegeometry of bracket 410. Bracket 410 is shown in FIG. 4C with digitalcamera systems 422 and 423 mounted thereon. Also shown are thermalsensor 472 and accelerometer 474. After the mechanical impact event, thecamera angle orientation between digital cameras 422 and 423 in firstcamera angle orientation is altered by θ+/−Δ. The camera angleorientation may change due to alteration of the bracket 410, changes tothe digital camera mountings, or alteration to the digital camerasystems 422 and 423 themselves among other factors. It is understoodthat similarly camera angle orientation in a second dimension such asdescribed above may also be changed by a mechanical impact event. Therelationship between camera orientation angles of digital cameras 422and 423 and any change to camera orientation angles in any directiondepends on the material or materials used, the dimensions of bracket410, the force experienced, and the direction of force. The relationshipbetween a mechanical impact event and change to camera orientationangles may be a predictable relationship. This may be especially true inthe example embodiment of a vibration mechanical impact event where thefrequency an magnitude of the vibration mechanical event may notpermanently change the relationship between the digital cameraorientation angles and may be predictable based on the direction,magnitude, and frequency of the vibration mechanical forces applied.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of detecting a mechanicalimpact event causing a multi-view stereo imaging system to be out ofcalibration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. InFIG. 5, a physical impact detection system may be used to detect themechanical impact event. The method may also provide recalibration ofplural image parameters via at least one plural image frame or rawimages comprising the plural image frame in an example embodiment. Inaccordance with at least one embodiment, a method is performed in aninformation handling system having a plurality of digital camera systemsor a compound digital camera system. Method 500 begins in block 510where the physical impact detection system may detect a mechanicalimpact event. In an example embodiment, the physical impact detectionsystem may receive sensor feedback that includes one or more thermalsensors 511, a first accelerometer 512, a second accelerometer 513, agyroscope 514, a geo-magnetic sensor 515, and other sensors or systems516. In example aspect, one or more of the above listed sensors may bemounted on a bracket supporting the one or more digital camera systems.In other example aspects, on-board sensors may be used. The sensors maybe used to determine forces applied and direction of forces applied in amechanical impact event. By determining a direction and magnitude offorces applied, a prediction may be made of displacement in the systembetween the plurality of digital camera systems by the physical impactdetection system. The physical impact detection system utilizes knownstiffness, strength, toughness and elasticity properties of the bracket,mounts, and plurality of camera systems including any damping used toabsorb forces to determine forces applied.

In an example embodiment, the physical impact detection system maydetermine forces applied via the accelerometer systems 512 and 513 toback-calculate forces applied during a mechanical impact event such as afall. In the example of a fall, the back-calculation of forces may bebased on weight of the information handling system and duration of aphysical impact event. Back-calculation of forces from accelerometermeasurements including acceleration of the bracket or informationhandling system and abrupt deceleration of the bracket or informationhandling system may yield a reasonable estimation of force applied tothe bracket or digital camera apparatus. A gyroscope may recorddirection of forces applied, for example during a moment of impact insome embodiments.

Proceeding to decision block 520, the method determines if sufficientforce has been experienced in the mechanical impact event to causedisplacement of the bracket or the digital camera mounting apparatus. Inan aspect, the physical impact detection system may access a table withthreshold limits of force levels before bracket displacement may occurfor various directions of applied force. This table may take intoaccount damping used in mounting and proximity of accelerometermeasurements to the bracket or plural digital camera apparatus. If athreshold level of force has been experienced, the physical impactdetection system may indicate the possibility of a displacement in therelationship between the plurality of digital cameras mounted, forexample, on a bracket. Even a small alteration to the orientation of theplurality of digital cameras may cause a loss of calibration to theplural image calibration parameters for the multi-view stereo imagingsystem. If the forces applied do not meet a threshold level of impactforce to potentially cause displacement, flow returns to block 510.

If a threshold level of force or greater has been applied to the digitalcamera mounting bracket or other apparatus, then flow proceeds to block525. At block 525, a plural image frame with raw images are acquired bythe multi-view stereo imaging system. A calibration check sub-system ofa multi-camera error compensation system may be used to determine if theplural digital camera systems are out of calibration. Features withinthe raw images of at least one plural image frame are aligned inaccordance with disclosures herein and in related applications. Multipledepth points are analyzed with respect to expected values between theraw images to determine loss of calibration.

Proceeding to block 530, the multi-camera error compensation system maydetermine the performance change levels to the multi-view stereo imagingsystem by virtue of the alteration to the plural digital cameraorientations. As described in other embodiments, one or more pluralimage frames including raw images may be used for more accurateassessment of change to the multi-view stereo imaging systemperformance. The multi-camera error compensating system recalibrationengine will determine features within the accessed plural image frame orframes. Image features may include corners, edges and other featureswith similar intensity, contrast changes, color profiles or the likebetween raw images comprising the plural image. The features are alignedaccording to multiple depth point references so that similar depthpoints are aligned. In this way, the images are fit together withrespect to depth points within the plural raw images. In an embodiment,several points at depth are utilized as reference points.

At block 530, performance change to the multi-view stereo imaging andthe plural image parameters may be assessed with the aligned raw imagesas a basis of comparison for misalignment, errors in rotation, errors inparallax angle determination, errors in field of view and loss of depthdetermination. In an example embodiment, performance change may bedetermined by the change in pixel shift at various depths within animage due to change in the orientation of the plurality of digitalcameras. Additional performance changes for the plural image parametersmay include determination of error levels of depth distance, rotation,field of view (e.g., stretch or skew in one or more directions) due tonon-convergence of projections to theoretical infinity. In someembodiments, one plural image frame may be used for dynamic calibrationhowever it is understood that two or more plural image frames are usefulfor enhanced reliability of the assessment of performance changes andfor the recalibration process.

Flow proceeds to block 535 where recalibration of the multi-view stereoimaging system with the multi-camera error compensation systemrecalibration engine may be triggered. In recalibration, the pluralimage calibration parameters may be backward-optimized using the alignedraw image comparison from one or more plural image frames acquired fromout of calibration digital camera systems. Based on reference pointswithin the plural image frame or raw image frames, lines of depth may beprojected on to a point at theoretical infinity. Thus, the aligned depthreference points for a plural image frame may be adjusted with pluralimage calibration parameters to show alignment of projected depth linesto a theoretical infinity point again. This backward optimization may berepeated with respect to additional plural image frames to better ensurethe adjustments of the plural image calibration parameters. In anexample embodiment, the backward optimization is used to correct theconvergence from the depth distance reference points for correction todepth distance relationships to pixel shift based on parallax anglesfrom the plurality of digital camera systems. Similarly, rotationdeviation from expected angles between sets of feature reference pointsmay be used to backwards optimize rotation parameter values in anotherexample embodiment. Rotation angles may also be determined based onangle misalignment of a theoretical line between two or more known depthreference points between raw images comprising a dual image frame. Thus,necessary rotation rectification may be determined between the rawimages recorded on the plurality of digital camera systems. Similarly,field of view dimensions may stretch, squash or otherwise skew the pixelfields between digital camera systems. Rectification factors forcalibration of field of view dimensions relative to pixel arrays betweenraw images may be similarly be modified based on determination of knownreference depth points upon recalibration. With more reference pointsfrom more plural image frames, additional reliability of backwardsoptimization may be made with respect to depth distances relative toparallax camera recording angles, rotation of images with any requiredrotational rectification, field of view dimensions with necessaryrectification for field of view between raw images, and focal lengthchanges or alterations to the digital camera systems.

Proceeding to block 540, the error compensated plural image calibrationparameters may be updated for the multi-view stereo imaging system in aplural image calibration parameter database. Based on these multipledepth points from one or more raw images in plural image frames, updatedplural image calibration parameters may be stored for depth distances541, rotation 542, field of view 543, and focal lengths 544 and otherplural image calibration parameters 545 and may be recalibrated withrespect to the plurality of digital camera systems.

With these plural image calibration parameters recalibrated by the aboveprocedure, flow may proceed to block 550 where a disparity calculationmay be conducted for the acquired raw images which may then beconsolidated into a corrected plural image frame. The correcteddisparity data is merged into a final plural image frame and the processmay end.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of detecting a thermalimpact event causing a multi-view stereo imaging system to be out ofcalibration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. InFIG. 6, a physical impact detection system may be used to detect thethermal impact event. The method may also provide recalibration ofplural image parameters in view of the effects of a thermal impactevent.

Method 600 begins in block 610 where the physical impact detectionsystem may detect a thermal impact event. In an example embodiment, thephysical impact detection system may receive sensor feedback thatincludes one or more thermal sensors 611, a geo-magnetic sensor 615, andother sensors or systems 616 such as GPS systems available in theinformation handling system. In example aspect, on-board sensors may beused or one or more of the above listed sensors may be mounted on adigital camera support bracket. The sensors may be used to determinetemperature changes affecting the digital camera support bracket,mountings, or other apparatus. Additionally, geo-magnetic sensors, GPSsystems, or the like may be used to determine altitude (pressure) orother aspects such as humidity that may impact thermal effects. Themethod determines if threshold temperature has been reached sufficientto have a thermal expansion effect on a bracket or other mountingapparatus.

Proceeding to decision block 620, the multi-camera error compensationsystem determines if a thermal expansion table is available includingchanges in distance between cameras and recalibration of plural imagecalibration parameters due to the predicted distance changes. If nothermal expansion table is available, flow then proceeds to block 625.At block 625, determination of calibration loss is done according toembodiments described herein. For example, a calibration check subsystemmay determine by comparison of aligned feature points in raw images of aplural image frame that alignment, rotation, or distance calculationfall outside an error level or other indications that calibration hasbeen lost. Flow proceeds to block 630 to determine the level ofperformance change such as a pixel shift error due to the thermaleffects. Alignment of raw images features to determine deviation fromexpected results using the plural image parameters is used to determinethe level of loss of calibration. At block 650, recalibration isconducted via at least one or more plural image frames or raw imagescomprising those plural image frames according to embodiments ofrecalibration disclosed herein involving a calibration engine for amulti-camera error compensation system. Backward optimization, such asfrom projection of feature points to a convergence at a point attheoretical infinity is used to determine recalibration necessary forthe plural image calibration parameters.

If a thermal expansion table is available at decision block 620, flowproceeds to block 635 to access the table corresponding to the thermalexpansion for the digital camera mounting bracket. It is understood thatanalogous predictive algorithmic tables may be used in other embodimentsfor prediction of changes in linear or radial dimensions and angles forthe plurality of digital cameras in response to predictable effects ofother physical impact events. For example, certain mechanical impactevents may be predictable, or vibration mechanical impact events withconsistent force or frequency may be predictable as well. At block 640,the thermal expansion table may predict the change in distance betweenthe plurality of digital cameras due to thermal expansion. With thisinformation, the multi-camera error compensation system may then predictthe change in performance of the multi-view stereo imaging system andlevel of loss of calibration of the plural image calibration parametersat block 630. This determination may trigger recalibration of the pluralimage calibration parameters as predicted from the predicted distancechange between the plurality of digital cameras due to thermal expansiontable determination. It is further understood that in other embodimentssuch as mechanical impact events, including traumatic or vibrationmechanical impact events, predictability of displacement of theplurality of digital cameras is possible. For example, in vibrationmechanical impact events, approximately consistent oscillation andvibration event force magnitude may yield predictable displacement suchthat a table of recalibration may be established.

In other embodiments, the multi-view error compensation system mayinstead use a recalibration engine to compare raw images of one or moreplural image frames acquired during a thermal impact event. Therecalibration engine may assess recalibration required for the pluralimage calibration parameters in accordance with embodiments disclosedherein. As more plural image frames are analyzed for recalibration, itis understood that the confidence of recalibration determination isincreased in the latter embodiment.

Since recalibration parameters associated a thermal impact event may betemporarily changed until after the thermal impact event ends ortemperature changes to a higher or lower degree, the recalibrationparameters are associated with the plural image frames and raw imagesacquired during the thermal impact event only. Plural image calibrationparameters may return to normal values, for example, after the thermalsensors indicate that temperature has returned to a lower level.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of detecting a vibrationmechanical impact event causing a multi-view stereo imaging system to beout of calibration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.In FIG. 7, a physical impact detection system may be used to detect thevibration mechanical impact event. The method may also providerecalibration of plural image parameters via at least one plural imageframe or raw images comprising the plural image frame in an exampleembodiment. The at least one plural image frame or raw images may beacquired by the plurality of digital cameras during the vibrationmechanical impact event. In accordance with at least one embodiment, amethod is performed in an information handling system having a pluralityof digital camera systems or a compound digital camera system. Method700 begins in block 710 where the physical impact detection system maydetect a vibration mechanical impact event. In an example embodiment,the physical impact detection system may receive sensor feedback thatincludes one or more thermal sensors 711, a first accelerometer 712, asecond accelerometer 713, a gyroscope 714, a geo-magnetic sensor 715,and other sensors or systems 716. In example aspects, one or more of theabove listed sensors may be mounted on a bracket supporting the one ormore digital camera systems or may be on-board sensors to theinformation handling system. The sensors may be used to determine forcesapplied and direction of forces applied in a vibration mechanical impactevent including duration and frequency of a vibration mechanical impactevent. By determining a direction and magnitude of forces applied, aprediction may be made of displacement in the system between theplurality of digital camera systems during the vibration mechanicalimpact event. The physical impact detection system utilizes knownstiffness, strength, toughness and elasticity properties of the bracket,mounts, and plurality of camera systems including any damping used toabsorb forces and vibration to determine forces applied. Timing may beconducted of the duration of vibration mechanical impact event anddetermine frequency of forces applied by the physical impact detectionsystem.

Flow proceeds to decision block 720 to determine if sufficientoscillation and vibration time has been experienced in a vibrationmechanical impact event. In an example embodiment, the physical impactdetection system may determine forces and oscillation applied via theaccelerometer systems 512 and 513 to back-calculate forces applied andtheir frequency. In the example of a vibration mechanical impact event,the physical impact detection system may access a table with thresholdlimits of force levels, vibration frequency, and duration of vibrationbefore error correction measures are triggered for plural image framesacquired during a vibration mechanical impact event. As before, thistable may take into account damping used in mounting and proximity ofaccelerometer measurements to the bracket or plural digital cameraapparatus. If a threshold level of vibration force, oscillation, andduration has been experienced, the physical impact detection system mayindicate the possibility of a displacement in the relationship betweenthe plurality of digital cameras mounted, for example, on a bracketduring the vibration mechanical impact event. Even a small alteration tothe orientation of the plurality of digital cameras may cause a loss ofcalibration, thus some error correction may be warranted. However, in anembodiment, every movement or vibration of an information handlingsystem may not warrant error correction computation. A table ofthreshold vibration mechanical impact event levels may be set in BIOS oraccessible elsewhere by the physical impact detection system. Thresholdsmay include a number of vibration oscillations. In a specific exampleembodiment, 10 vibration oscillations may be sufficient to triggerassessment and recalibration for plural image frames taken during thevibration mechanical impact event. In another example embodiment, afrequency threshold level and a duration of vibration may be set asthresholds. In a specific example embodiment, one vibration oscillationdetected per second for a period of 10 seconds may be an examplethreshold level sufficient to trigger assessment and recalibration. Ifthe vibration applied does not meet a threshold level of impact topotentially cause displacement or error, flow returns to block 710.

If a threshold level of vibration oscillation force or duration has beenapplied to the digital camera mounting bracket or other apparatus, thenflow proceeds to block 725. At block 725, at least one plural imageframe with raw images is acquired by the multi-view stereo imagingsystem during the vibration mechanical impact event. At block 730, thecalibration check sub-system of a multi-camera error compensation systemmay be used to determine if the plural digital camera systems are out ofcalibration. Features within the raw images of at least one plural imageframe are aligned in accordance with disclosures herein and in relatedapplications to determine calibration. Multiple depth points areanalyzed with respect to expected values between the raw images todetermine loss of calibration.

Proceeding to block 730, the multi-camera error compensation system maydetermine the performance change levels to the multi-view stereo imagingsystem by virtue of the alteration to the plural digital cameraorientations due to vibration. The loss of calibration due to vibrationis likely a temporary loss of calibration in many embodiments. Thus, aninstantaneous error correction is triggered via the multi-camera errorcompensation system recalibration engine at block 740. As described inother embodiments, one or more plural image frames including raw imagesmay be used for more accurate assessment of change and recalibration forthe multi-view stereo imaging system performance and plural imagecalibration parameters. The multi-camera error compensating systemrecalibration engine will determine features within the accessed pluralimage frame or frames such as corners, edges and other features withsimilar intensity, contrast changes, color profiles or the like betweenraw images. Aligning the features according to multiple depth pointreferences so that similar depth points are aligned permits the rawimages to be fit together with respect to depth points. Comparison ofthese depth points and their convergence with point at theoreticalinfinity point may be used to determine performance alterations andadjustments to the plural image calibration parameters in accordancewith embodiments discussed herein and in related applicationsincorporated herein by reference. Recalibration may be conducted tocorrect changes in performance due to incurred errors for the pluralimage parameters including errors of depth distance, rotation, field ofview (e.g., stretch or skew in one or more directions) due tonon-convergence of projections to theoretical infinity. In an exampleembodiment, the recalibration of plural image calibration parameters maybe directly assigned to plural image frames acquired during thevibration mechanical impact event. Since the vibration mechanical impactevent is likely a temporary error condition for the multi-view stereoimaging system, the recalibrated plural image parameters may be savewith respect to only image acquired during the instant vibrationmechanical impact event.

In another embodiment, a correlation between vibration levels and lossof calibration may be made for the mounting apparatus for the pluralityof digital cameras such that prediction of calibration loss may bedetermined based on magnitude of vibration forces applied and frequencyof vibration oscillation. In such a case, detection of a vibrationmechanical impact event by the physical impact event detection systemmay trigger recalibration levels to be available via index of vibrationforce levels and oscillation frequency for plural image calibrationparameters. In an example embodiment, vibration-induced loss ofcalibration and performance changes may be predictable with vibrationevents having approximately consistent vibration force magnitude andapproximately consistent oscillation. For example, an informationhandling system having a multi-view stereo imaging system may travel ina vehicle having an approximately consistent vibration force andoscillation frequency on the plurality of digital cameras. As previouslydescribed, although one plural image frame may be used for calibration,it is understood that two or more plural image frames are useful forenhanced reliability of the assessment of performance changes and forthe recalibration process.

With these plural image calibration parameters recalibrated by the aboveprocedure, flow may proceed to block 745 where a disparity calculationmay be conducted for the acquired raw images of the plural image frameacquired during the vibration mechanical impact event. At block 750, thedisparity calculation and raw images may then be consolidated into acorrected plural image frame. At this point, the process may end.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of detecting a pluralityof physical impact events causing a multi-view stereo imaging system tobe out of calibration according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In FIG. 8, a physical impact detection system may be used todetect thermal impact events and mechanical impact events includingvibration mechanical impact events. The method may also providerecalibration of plural image parameters via at least one plural imageframe or raw images comprising the plural image frame acquired during achange in orientation of the plurality of digital cameras due to thephysical impact events in an example embodiment.

Method 800 begins in block 810 where the physical impact detectionsystem may operate to monitor for a physical impact event. In anotherexample embodiment, the physical impact detection system may beactivated upon detection of motion or detection of an input by a userindicating active usage of the information handling system. In yet otherembodiments, the physical impact detection system may be activated uponinitiation of the multi-view stereo imaging system for purposes ofacquiring plural image frames. In an example embodiment as in otherembodiments, the physical impact detection system may receive sensorfeedback that includes one or more thermal sensors 811, a firstaccelerometer 812, a second accelerometer 813, a gyroscope 814, ageo-magnetic sensor 815, and other sensors or systems 816. In exampleaspects, one or more of the above listed sensors may be mounted on abracket supporting the one or more digital camera systems or may beon-board sensors to the information handling system.

Flow proceeds to decision block 820 to determine if a mechanical impactevent has occurred. The physical impact detection system may amechanical impact event or a vibration mechanical impact event inaccordance with embodiments disclosed herein. If no mechanical impactevent or no vibration mechanical impact event is detected that meets athreshold level by the physical impact detection system, flow proceedsto decision block 825. At decision block 825, the physical impactdetection system determines whether thermal levels have met or exceededthreshold levels for a thermal impact event. If threshold thermal impactlevels have not been met at decision block 825, then flow returns toblock 810 to continue monitoring for physical impact events. If atdecision block 825, a thermal impact event has met or exceeded thresholdlevels flow may then proceed to block 840 in the present embodiment. Thethermal impact event may be determined in accordance with embodimentsdisclosed herein. For example, if only a thermal impact event isdetected, then the physical impact detection system may coordinate withthe multi-camera error compensation system to determine loss ofcalibration levels and the recalibration necessary. In an exampleembodiment, the physical impact detection system may access a tabledisclosing predicted changes in linear distance or parallax or radialangles between the plurality of digital camera systems for thermaleffects on a camera mounting bracket. With this information, theperformance change or level of calibration loss for plural imagecalibration parameters may be predictable at block 845. In this example,no other physical impact events are occurring. Proceeding to block 850,re-calibration of plural image parameters may also be predicted based onthe predicted level of lost calibration such that recalibration may beconducted by the multi-camera error compensation system according toembodiments disclosed herein.

If at decision block 820 a mechanical impact event meeting a thresholdlevel of force, oscillation or time for a traumatic mechanical impactevent or a vibration mechanical impact event, flow proceeds to block830. At block 830, the physical impact event detection system alsodetermines if a thermal impact event is occurring at or above athreshold level in addition to the one or more mechanical impact eventsdetected. The thermal impact event may be determined in accordance withembodiments disclosed herein. Whether one or more mechanical impactevents detected or a thermal impact event is detected, the multi-cameraerror compensation system calibration check subsystem may proceed toblock 835 to determine overall calibration loss. Calibration loss may beconfirmed by the multi-camera error compensation system calibrationcheck subsystem according to example embodiments herein. Flow may thenproceed to block 840.

At block 840, the physical impact detection system and multi-cameraerror compensation system may be used in some embodiments to determine alevel of change to the radial or linear distance between the pluralityof digital cameras. Assessment may include determination of lineardistance changes in a bracket and changes in radial angle alignment orparallax angle alignment between plural image frames due to thermal ormechanical effects. While in some embodiments, this aspect may beskipped and changes to plural image calibration parameters simplydetermined, in other embodiments determination of radial or lineardistances and angles of change in the plurality of digital cameras maybe useful for diagnostic purposes.

Proceeding to block 845, the multi-camera error compensation system maydetermine the performance change levels to the multi-view stereo imagingsystem by virtue of the alteration to the plural digital cameraorientations due to the detected thermal and/or mechanical impactevents. A query may be prompted to a user for confirmation to triggerrecalibration by the calibration engine or may recalibration may betriggered automatically. Calibration may be conducted in accordance withembodiments disclosed herein. For example, comparison of aligned rawimages for an acquired plural image frame acquired during the mechanicaland/or thermal impact event may be used in accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein to determine the level of performance change andrelated loss of calibration. If a portion of the loss of calibration isa temporary loss of calibration, such as it is in many embodiments ofvibration mechanical impact events or thermal impact events, then theperformance change and level of calibration loss is associated with onlyplural image frames acquired during the altered state due to thosetemporary physical impact events.

Thus, error correction is triggered via the multi-camera errorcompensation system recalibration engine at block 850 for the pluralimage frames acquired when a temporary change has occurred to thecalibration of the multi-view stereo imaging system. Recalibration maybe conducted in accordance with embodiments described above for theplural image parameters used to process the plural image frames. Asdescribed in other embodiments, one or more plural image framesincluding raw images may be used for more accurate assessment of changeand recalibration for the multi-view stereo imaging system performanceand plural image calibration parameters. Recalibration may be conductedto correct errors of depth distance, rotation, field of view (e.g.,stretch or skew in one or more directions) and other plural imageparameters. Recalibration of plural image parameters may therefore beconducted in the present embodiment due to detection of one or morephysical impact events and error compensation made to correct for theeffects of a plurality of physical impact events. At this point, theprocess may end.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of detecting a physicalimpact event causing a multi-view stereo imaging system to be out ofcalibration and providing recalibration of plural image parameters viaat least one plural image frame or raw images comprising the pluralimage frame. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method isperformed in an information handling system having a plurality ofdigital camera systems. A physical impact event may have been detectedin accordance with the above embodiments and may include a thermallevel, mechanical impact event, or vibration mechanical impact eventexceeding a threshold for indicating a loss of calibration. Method 900begins in block 905 where the plurality of digital camera systemsacquires raw images and the raw images are processed into a mergedplural image frame. In an example embodiment, the processing of the rawimages from the plurality of digital camera systems is conducted by amulti-view stereo imaging system. The processing may include 3Dprocessing for depth within a plural image frame resulting from mergerof the raw image frames. As is understood in some embodiments, rawimages may be acquired, the raw images may be rectified to align themaccording to reference points, field of view, rotation, and otherfactors. Then, in an embodiment, a disparity map is determined toprovide reference for pixels within the images relative to parallaxangles for the plurality of digital cameras relative to points orobjects within the plural images. Calculation of a disparity map willrely on plural image calibration parameters. This disparity informationis used to merge the two raw images into a plural image frame with depthparameters, color, and pixel coordinate information for the plural imageframe pixels. It is understood additional processing may occur withrespect to determination of plural image frames from the recorded rawimages at 905.

From block 905, method 900 proceeds to decision block 910. In decisionblock 910, the method determines if calibration loss has occurred withrespect to the multi-view stereo imaging system and the plurality ofdigital cameras. In one example embodiment, the determination ofcalibration loss may be based on the physical impact detection systemdetecting that one or more of a thermal impact threshold, a mechanicalimpact threshold, a vibration mechanical impact threshold, or anotherphysical impact threshold has been exceeded. For example, theabove-described embodiments may be employed in connection with physicalsensor data as described to determine that one or more physical impactevents have been substantial enough to cause a loss of calibration.

In another example embodiment, a calibration check sub-system may beinitiated with respect to one or more stored plural image frames takenduring or post physical impact event. For example, a plural image framemay to be taken during a thermal impact event or a vibration mechanicalimpact event. In another example embodiment, a plural image frame may tobe taken after a traumatic mechanical impact event. The calibrationcheck sub-system will analyze correspondences between a plurality of rawimages respect to image size, shape, distortion, rotation and otheraspects. Comparison of overall image size, shape, distortion, rotationand other aspects between raw images may reveal changes in alignmentbetween digital cameras.

Correspondences between the plurality of images may also be comparedrelative to features within the images such as corners or edges uniqueto an area of the image in an example embodiment. The calibration checksystem may determine if aspects of the area having identifiable featuresare similar between raw images to identify features for comparison. Forexample, aspects may include intensity levels, contrast changes, andcolor profiles. If several are similar, this can match to an imagefeature. Then assessment may take place relating to values ofcoordinates between features in different areas of the raw images.Assessment may be made with respect to relationship between two featuresin the raw images to see if behavior conforms to expected behavior basedon pre-existing calibration. For example, if a straight line between twoor more feature points is expected or a particular angle is expectedbetween to feature points relative to horizontal or vertical in certainembodiments, then no straight line or differing angles may indicatecalibration is in error. In another embodiment, lines between multiplethree dimensional distance points of a plural image frame may beprojected with an expected convergence, and if the projected lines donot converge as expected that may indicate loss of calibration. In anexample embodiment, several feature point relationships across an imagemay be analyzed to determine a level of error occurrence within the rawimages. A minimum number of feature point comparisons may be required.With more feature point comparisons, higher confidence in thecalibration check system may be generated to reject false errorindicators or to meet a threshold level of confidence to declare theplural image calibration parameters out of calibration with theplurality of digital cameras. Additional other calibration check methodsmay be used as well to determine whether calibration has been lost.

If there is no calibration loss detected for the multi-view stereoimaging system and the plurality of digital camera systems, then theflow of method 900 ends and may proceed to conduct processing of pluralimage frames with the multi-view stereo imaging system.

If at decision block 910, loss of calibration is determined via thephysical impact detection system, the calibration check sub-systems, orboth, the flow of method 900 proceeds to block 915. At block 915, themulti-camera error compensating system may flag an acquired plural imageframe or its raw image components as out-of-calibration. Theout-of-calibration or decalibration flag designation will be stored withthe data for the plural image frame and/or the raw images either ofwhich may be referred to as a plural image. In some instances, aconsolidated plural image frame and its component raw images may bestored together as a plural image with a decalibration flag designation.Such a decalibration flag designation may be used to determine need forreprocessing an out-of-calibration plural image frame or to trigger awarning to a user of decalibration as further described in variousembodiments in the related case(s) cited herein and incorporated fullyby reference.

Flow then proceeds to block 920 where the multi-camera errorcompensating system will access one or more stored plural image frames.Each plural image frame is determined as to calibration status for usein recalibration. In an example embodiment, a calibration checksub-system may be used to determine calibration status of selectedplural image frames. A plurality of selected plural image frames mayalso be selected relative to any detected physical impact event such asbeing acquired during or post the physical impact event. In someembodiments, the multi-camera error compensating system may recalibratebased on only one plural image frame. Upon acquiring at least one pluralimage frame having a loss of calibration, a recalibration engine maybegin recalibration of plural image parameters. In some embodiments, oneplural image frame may be used for calibration however it is understoodthat two or more plural image frames are useful for enhanced reliabilityof the recalibration process.

Proceeding to block 925, the multi-camera error compensating systemdynamic calibration engine will determine features within the accessedplural image frame or frames. As described above, the image features mayinclude corners, edges and other features with similar intensity,contrast changes, color profiles or the like between raw imagescomprising the plural image. At block 930, the features are alignedaccording to multiple depth point references so that similar depthpoints are aligned between the raw images and between a plurality ofplural image frames. In this way, the raw images are fit together withrespect to depth points within the plural image frames. In anembodiment, several points at depth are utilized as reference points.Based on reference points within the plural image frame or frames, linesof depth may be projected on to a point at theoretical infinity at block935. Thus the aligned depth reference points for a plural image framemay show alignment of projected depth lines to a theoretical infinitypoint. This may be repeated with respect to additional plural imageframes. The projection from the plurality of depth reference distancepoints to a theoretical infinity point allows determination of errorlevels of depth distance, rotation, field of view (e.g., stretch or skewin one or more directions) due to non-convergence of projections totheoretical infinity. In an example embodiment, backward optimizationmay then be used to correct the convergence from the depth distancereference points for correction to depth distance relationships to pixelshift based on parallax angles from the plurality of digital camerasystems. Similarly, rotation deviation from expected angles between setsof feature reference points may be used to backwards optimize rotationparameter values in another example embodiment.

At block 940, plural image calibration parameters may bebackwards-optimized based on the multiple depth reference points andconvergence projections to a point at theoretical infinity. Based onthese multiple depth points from one or more plural frames, alignmentfor depth distances 941, rotation 942, field of view 943, and focallengths 944 may be recalibrated with respect to the plurality of digitalcamera systems. Rotation angles may also be determined based on anglemisalignment of a theoretical line between two or more known depthreference points between raw images comprising a dual image frame. Thus,necessary rotation rectification may be determined between the rawimages recorded on the plurality of digital camera systems. Similarly,field of view dimensions may stretch, squash or otherwise skew the pixelfields between digital camera systems. Rectification factors forcalibration of field of view dimensions relative to pixel arrays betweenraw images may be similarly be modified based on determination of knownreference depth points upon recalibration. With more reference pointsfrom more plural image frames, additional reliability of backwardsoptimization may be made with respect to depth distances relative toparallax camera recording angles, rotation of images with any requiredrotational rectification, field of view dimensions with necessaryrectification for field of view between raw images, and focal lengthchanges or alterations to the digital camera systems.

With these plural image calibration parameters recalibrated by the aboveprocedure and the changes stored for use with the multi-view stereoimaging system. Depending upon the type of physical impact event, theupdated plural image calibration parameters may be temporarily modifiedor may be more permanently modified. In one example aspect, a traumaticmechanical impact event may alter the orientation of the plurality ofdigital cameras with respect to one another or directionally in a morepermanent way. The traumatic mechanical event may alter digital cameramountings or change bracket dimensions or orientations. In anotherexample aspect, a vibration mechanical impact event may alter theorientation of the plurality of digital cameras with respect to oneanother or directionally only for a single acquired plural image frameor a set of plural image frames acquired during that vibration event.The calibration changes may be therefore associated specifically withonly the affected plural image frames. In yet another aspect, a thermalimpact event may alter the orientation of the plurality of digitalcameras with respect to one another or directionally in a temporary waywhich may be repeatable and predictable such that recalibration may beassociated with a detected temperature change of a given magnitude on abracket or other part of the information handling system. Alternatively,the plural image calibration parameter recalibration may be associatedwith the plural image frames acquired only during a thermal impactevent. At this point, the flow may end.

It is understood that in any of the steps for method algorithmsdescribed in the present disclosure in FIGS. 5-9 or elsewhere herein maybe used in embodiment variations. For example, steps for the algorithmsdescribed may be omitted or conducted in any order or some steps may beconducted simultaneously. One or more additional steps may also be addedin any of the described algorithm methods and any portion of any of thealgorithm methods described herein may be combined with any otheralgorithm method portion as would be understood in the art. Thedescribed algorithms are meant as exemplary embodiments and variationsto those method algorithms are anticipated in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to storeinformation received via carrier wave signals such as a signalcommunicated over a transmission medium. Furthermore, a computerreadable medium can store information received from distributed networkresources such as from a cloud-based environment. A digital fileattachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive orset of archives may be considered a distribution medium that isequivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure isconsidered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or adistribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in whichdata or instructions may be stored.

When referred to as a “device,” a “module,” or the like, the embodimentsdescribed herein can be configured as hardware. For example, a portionof an information handling system device may be hardware such as, forexample, an integrated circuit (such as a processor, an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array(FPGA), a structured ASIC, or a device embedded on a larger chip), acard (such as a Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) card, a PCI-expresscard, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA)card, or other such expansion card), or a system (such as a motherboard,a system-on-a-chip (SoC), or a stand-alone device).

The device or module can include software, including firmware embeddedat a device, such as an Intel® Core™ or ARM® RISC brand processor, orother such device, or software capable of operating a relevantenvironment of the information handling system. The device or module canalso include a combination of the foregoing examples of hardware orsoftware. Note that an information handling system can include anintegrated circuit or a board-level product having portions thereof thatcan also be any combination of hardware and software.

Devices, modules, resources, or programs that are in communication withone another need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices, modules,resources, or programs that are in communication with one another cancommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailherein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to coverthe structures described herein as performing the recited function andnot only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for determining aloss of calibration in a multi-view stereo imaging system comprising:executing instructions, via a processor, for a multi-view stereo imagingsystem to process a plural image frame recorded from a plurality ofdigital cameras of an information handling system and based on pluralimage calibration parameters; detecting a physical impact event, via aphysical sensor, to an information handling system; and executinginstructions, via the processor, for a physical impact event detectionsystem to determine based on physical sensor feedback data whether athreshold level of a physical impact event has been reached to affectcalibration of the multi-view stereo imaging system, wherein thedetected physical impact event is at least a mechanical impact event ora thermal impact event.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:detecting a calibration loss of at least one digital camera based on atleast one processed plural image frame.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereina level of the physical impact event determined by the physical impactevent detection system corresponds to a predicted change to the pluralimage calibration parameters.
 4. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: determining the effect on calibration of the multi-viewstereo imaging system by predicting a thermal expansion shifting adistance between the plurality of digital cameras.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: triggering re-calibration of the pluralimage calibration parameters based upon the determination that thethreshold level of the physical impact event has been reached.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: activating monitoring by thephysical impact event detection system in response to detecting usageactivity of the information handling system.
 7. The method of claim 1further comprising: detecting the mechanical impact event to a bracketoperatively coupled to the plurality of digital cameras; and determiningthe calibration loss of the multi-view stereo imaging system due todetected force to cause a shift in alignment between the plurality ofdigital cameras.
 8. An information handling system comprising: aplurality of digital cameras; a processor operatively coupled to theplurality of digital cameras for executing instructions for a multi-viewstereo imaging system to process a plural image frame based on pluralimage calibration parameters; a physical sensor for detecting a physicalimpact event to the information handling system; a memory operativelycoupled to the processor, the memory for storing recorded physicalsensor feedback data of the detected physical impact event; and theprocessor executing instructions for a physical impact event detectionsystem to determine a loss of calibration to the multi-view stereoimaging system based on physical sensor feedback data, wherein thephysical sensor is at least an accelerometer or a thermal sensor.
 9. Theinformation handling system of claim 8 wherein the plural imagecalibration parameters include a depth distance for objects recorded inthe plural image frame.
 10. The information handling system of claim 8wherein the detected level of the physical impact event determined bythe physical impact event detection system corresponds to a predictedchange to the plural image calibration parameters.
 11. The informationhandling system of claim 8 wherein the physical impact event to theinformation handling system includes detecting a thermal impact event toa bracket system operatively coupled to the plurality of digitalcameras.
 12. The information handling system of claim 11 furthercomprising: the physical impact event detection system determines thedetected level of the physical impact event to the multi-view stereoimaging system and a corresponding estimated shift in a distance betweenthe plurality of digital cameras based on predicted thermal expansion.13. The information handling system of claim 11 further comprising: theaccelerometer detects a mechanical impact event to a bracket systemoperatively coupled to the plurality of digital cameras; and thephysical impact event detection system determines that a threshold levelof the mechanical impact event has been reached to affect calibration ofthe multi-view stereo imaging system due to force experienced by thebracket system.
 14. The information handling system of claim 8 furthercomprising: the physical impact event detection system triggeringre-calibration of the plural image calibration parameters.
 15. Theinformation handling system of claim 8 further comprising: the physicalimpact event detection system prompting a user interface querying userfeedback for re-calibration of the multi-view stereo imaging system. 16.A computer-implemented method for determining a performance change in amulti-view stereo imaging system comprising: executing instructions, viaa processor, for a multi-view stereo imaging system to process a pluralimage frame recorded from a plurality of digital cameras of aninformation handling system and based on plural image calibrationparameters; detecting a physical impact event, via a physical sensor, toan information handling system wherein the physical impact event altersan alignment between the plurality of digital cameras; executinginstructions, via the processor, for a physical impact event detectionsystem to determine that a threshold level of the physical impact eventhas been reached based on physical sensor feedback data; and triggeringre-calibration of at least one plural image calibration parameter basedupon the determination that the threshold level of physical impact eventhas been reached, wherein the detected physical impact event is at leasta mechanical impact event or a thermal impact event.
 17. The method ofclaim 16 wherein a detected level of the physical impact eventdetermined by the physical impact event detection system corresponds toa predicted change to the plural image calibration parameters.
 18. Themethod of claim 16 further comprising: prompting a user interfacequerying user feedback permitting re-calibration of the multi-viewstereo imaging system.
 19. The method of claim 16 further comprising:detecting the mechanical physical impact event to the plurality ofdigital cameras of the information handling system via an accelerometerdetecting vibration; and determining the calibration loss of themulti-view stereo imaging system due to detected vibration force andfrequency to cause a shift in alignment between the plurality of digitalcameras.